Washington State had a sterilization program that started in the 1900s. In 1909, a sterilization law was passed that allowed a person to be sterilized if they were involved in pedophilia with a female under age ten, or were guilty of rape. Under this law, sterilization was rare. However, this changed with a new and more general law passed in 1921. This law allowed sterilizations to be performed on people who were considered “feeble minded, insane, epileptic, habitual criminals, moral degenerates, and sexual perverts.” Under this law, people from state institutions were chosen to be inspected by the Board of Health. Once selected, the Board of Health could authorized and carry out their sterilization once they had notified the person. There
